The well-intentioned, ghettoized program asks us: are Abe and Sophie still the ones coming, only now they’re paying less? An elderly couple in Florida are going out to dinner. Abe’s at the door, but Sophie’s still upstairs in the bedroom. Abe: Hurry up, Darling! Sophie: I’m coming, Sweetheart! I just have to put on my 18-inch, double-strand pearls! Abe: Hurry up, … [Read more...] about Is Pay-What-You-Can a Real Community Issue for Arts Organizations to Solve?
Executive Director
How Does Your Nonprofit Arts Organization Use History to Tangibly Make Things Better?
Presenting art is not enough, at least if you’re running a nonprofit. Something has to be done or else the opportunity is lost forever. I was watching the 1953 version of War of the Worlds recently and it struck me that as time passes, the perspective on this particular story changes wildly. Secondly, and more importantly for the nonprofit arts industry, those perspective … [Read more...] about How Does Your Nonprofit Arts Organization Use History to Tangibly Make Things Better?
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: What’s a “Community?”
“Community” ≠ “Constituency.” And it’s certainly ≠ “Audience.” IYKYK. It’s not altogether clear that nonprofit arts organizations know what “community” means to their organization. They may have a dictionary definition at the ready, or some parsed-out word salad to describe the community of people they seek, but rarely do they describe the community (or communities) that … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Organizations: What’s a “Community?”
Scene Change 2 Now Available for Preorder
Assuming that your board has no clear sense of why they’re representing their nonprofit arts organization’s work, there’s a handbook for that. The first essay of the school year is usually some throwaway set of paragraphs entitled, “How I Spent My Summer Vacation.” This is kinda that. I’ve been exceptionally busy over the last month doing podcasts, interviews, and signings … [Read more...] about Scene Change 2 Now Available for Preorder
Last of the Summer Whine
The seven attributes of a successful nonprofit arts organization. You gotta do all seven to win. Before I take off for a month, I thought I’d let you in on the secret to success for nonprofit arts organizations. Note how “raising money” is not among the things on the list. That’s a business practice, not an attribute of success. Of course you’ll have to raise money! That … [Read more...] about Last of the Summer Whine